This entry was posted on 6/12/2010 7:44 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
For the last 4 days, Mary and I had been "roadtrippin'" all over Western North Carolina.
On our trip, we saw loads of wonderful sites, took in a lot of history of the region (including the real Cherokee history and heritage), and drove miles upon miles of North Carolina (and a teeny, tiny bit of Tennessee) ROADS!!!
DAY 1 (Wednesday):
On the first day, we drove up US 23/441 into North Carolina and reached its northernmost point in Dillsboro, North Carolina, "clinching" Jackson County and completing the entire "duplex" of these US routes from their southernmost point in Cornelia, Georgia. Here's a photo of the "duplex's" northernmost point...
DAY 2 (Thursday):
Next, we traveled on US 23/74 to I-40, headed east to Asheville, "clinched" I-240, and then got on the Blue Ridge Parkway just south of the easternmost end of I-240 at US 74-A (as North Carolina would sign its "alternate" US and state routes). Here's a photo of the eastern end of I-240 as it becomes simply US 74-A.
Once on the BRP, we stopped at the BRP headquarters and visitor center, located just north of US 74-A.
Being the headquarters visitor center, they had a great display regarding the actual construction of the BRP, not to mention the obligatory souvenirs. One of the things we purchased was a book on the construction, which I can't wait to read.
From the visitor center, we made our way up to Mount Mitchell State Park, where we had lunch at the highest restaurant east of the Mississippi, not to mention taking a good hike to the summit.
The weather was mostly overcast and there was a thick blanket of fog over the top of Mitchell, keeping us from seeing anything from the top. However, I found being at the top under such conditions strangely spiritual, reminding me of when Jesus, Peter, James, and John were atop the Mount of Transfiguration and met Moses and Elijah. Walking down the mountain, I told Mary that I felt as though I was looking in the face of God himself! How awesome is that?!!!
While I was at the top, I took out my ham radio VHF "handie talkie" and made a few contacts with other ham operators at Lake Hartwell, South Carolina, Knoxville, Tennessee, and finally, a ham who lived at least 30 miles east of the mountain. VHF transmissions do not normally carry long distances when transmitting from lower elevations, but when you are on top of the highest point east of the Mississippi River, it is amazing how far they will carry... and I only needed 5 watts of power to do it.
After leaving Mitchell, we continued up the BRP to NC 80, where we stopped for another of many, many "photo ops"...
From there, we headed north on NC 80 to US 19E, took US 19E to NC 226, took NC 226 south to NC 226A (a really winding, curvy scenic road that goes through the town of Little Switzerland), proceeded to US 221 southbound, and after a brief stop at the US 221 rest area near Marion, we got on I-40 and headed back toward Asheville. In the process, I "clinched" Yancey, Mitchell, and McDowell Counties, plus added more I-40 mileage in the process.
Once we got into Asheville, we exited at US 19/23 to eat at Cracker Barrel, taking a much-needed break from the road.
After our dinner break was over, we took US 19/23 to I-240, and then went up the "Future" I-26 and the "new" section of I-26 all the way up to the first Tennessee exit on I-26 (Exit 50). I not only got these sections of Western North Carolina's new/future Interstate "clinched", but also "clinched" 2 more counties, Madison (North Carolina) and Unicoi (Tennessee). After that long day of seeing the sites and "roadgeeking", it was back to the hotel (or "base camp" as I called it once).
The "new" I-26 is designated as a scenic byway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Here's one of the North Carolina signs...
On the next blog, we continue our epic journey through Western North Carolina, See what roads were driven and what addtional counties were "clinched". In the meantime, I'm going to call it a night and rest up for our return to GRG HQ.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading and please come back often.
Copyright 2007. Steve Williams. All rights reserved.
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